Knicks broadcasters caught on hot mic ripping Kristaps Porzingis

The New York Knicks have plans to build their franchise around power forward Kristaps Porzingis, but not everyone is thrilled about his recent play.

Porzingis left Sunday's preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets due to a sore hip, but MSG broadcasters Alan Hahn and Wally Szczerbiak were more interested in the big man's poor plus-minus than his injury. The two were caught on a hot mic sharply criticizing the 22-year-old rising star during a commercial break.

"The other thing you could do is just kill Porzingis for being minus-20 in 16 minutes," Hahn said to Szczerbiak, according to a video posted to Twitter. "Dude, like come on, man. You’re a star. This is what you're doing? You're just out there? [He's got] a lot to learn."

"Minus-20 — for him, he should never let his team...," Szczerbiak responded before the feed returned to a commercial.

It seemed as though Hahn and Szczerbiak made the comments while planning out the next segment of the broadcast, Szczerbiak made a point about Porzingis' plus-minus once the play resumed. But regardless of the purpose of the remarks, the optics were bad.

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Kristaps Porzingis throughout his career

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Kristaps Porzingis throughout his career

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kristaps Porzingis (SPN) reacts after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 3, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) locks arms with teammates during the national anthem before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 01: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks participates during the Open Practice for the New York Knicks on October 1, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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While Porzingis has professed his love for playing in New York in the past, his tenure with the Knicks has been a rocky one. Fans booed when they heard his name called as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft and he skipped his exit meeting following last season leading to criticism from then-team president Phil Jackson.

The last thing the team needs is another reason for Porzingis to feel uncomfortable playing in Madison Squade Garden, especially with his rookie extension deadline coming in just over a year.

Porzingis scored six points and blocked three shots before exiting the game. Despite outproducing Brooklyn by more than 10 wins last season, the Knicks lost the game 117-83.

The Knicks will play their next preseason game on Monday against the Houston Rockets. Their regular season opener is set for Thursday, October 19 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.